More Images

Pigskin Picks: Surprises still sure to be seen this season

Published: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 10:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 10:55 p.m.

The past two weeks, including Week 1 of conference games last Friday, have been rough for most of the football teams in our area.

And it's easy to get down about a goose egg in the win column (or a sub-.500 record) if you're a coach or player or be negative if you're an outsider looking in. But it's important to remember that these kids are working hard for hours after a long day of school each day, trying to improve and be competitive in a sport they love.

They're not paid to do it, and the teams each have their own internal battles to fight, whether that be injuries and loss of players, cohesion (or lack of it) as a team, youth, low numbers — and the list goes on.

It's all about the little victories, even when they don't necessarily translate to a “W.”

North Henderson is the highlighted example right now of a team that had nowhere to go but up at the start of this season. Now the Knights (2-3, 1-0 WNC Athletic Conference) have learned how to finish games and win even with a sophomore quarterback unexpectedly thrown into the mix, and they're staring the county title right in the face for the first time in 15 years.

Polk County (2-3, 1-0 WHC), which faced youth last year and started on a 0-3 uphill battle this season, has now won two straight games and is looking to be a strong contender in the hunt for the Western Highlands Conference title.

Injuries to starting players have plagued Hendersonville (2-3, 0-1 WHC) for the past three games, and the Bearcats dropped their first WHC game last week at home, but one can never safely count out the Bearcats for the WHC championship either.

Out in Transylvania County, Brevard and Rosman (2-3, 0-1 Smoky Mountain) have each put up two wins. For the Blue Devils (2-3, 0-1 WNCAC) this has been a victory in itself under a first-year head coach, after going winless last year.

Both the Eagles and Falcons of East and West Henderson have come painfully close to tasting victory as far as their records are concerned, but to no avail. Lacking greater numbers (and by “greater” I mean more than 25 players) as well as experience. But the kids trek on, hoping, believing and playing for a win week after week. That's what counts.

There are still six weeks left of conference play, and that's a long time to see how much improvement a team is capable of.

The unpredictability of high school football is the draw of it — and we're sure to see some surprises from our home teams the rest of this season.

* * * * *

Last week: 12-2

Season: 72-21

Games back: None

East Henderson at North Henderson

What's on the Knights' minds tonight? Home-field advantage, coupled with a drive to win their first county title in 15 years. … NORTH, 27-15.

Smoky Mountain at West Henderson

It could be another frustrating game for the Falcons tonight, as they'll keep it close but not close enough. ... SMOKY, 24-20.

Tuscola at Brevard

The Mountaineers have been one of the surprises so far this season, so Week 2 of conference won't be too much easier for the Blue Devils. ... TUSCOLA, 28-13.

Hayesville at Rosman

The Tigers will have their first chance to put up a Smoky mountain Conference win after starting off with Murphy last week. ... ROSMAN, 19-14.

Polk County at Mountain Heritage

High on their Week 1 conference win, the Wolverines will not slow down tonight even up against a competitive Cougars squad. ... POLK, 35-27.

Hendersonville at Madison

After three straight losses, which included losing its conference opener, Hendersonville can't afford to lose tonight if it wants to contend for the Western Highlands Conference title. … HENDERSONVILLE, 23-20.

<p>The past two weeks, including Week 1 of conference games last Friday, have been rough for most of the football teams in our area.</p><p>And it's easy to get down about a goose egg in the win column (or a sub-.500 record) if you're a coach or player or be negative if you're an outsider looking in. But it's important to remember that these kids are working hard for hours after a long day of school each day, trying to improve and be competitive in a sport they love.</p><p>They're not paid to do it, and the teams each have their own internal battles to fight, whether that be injuries and loss of players, cohesion (or lack of it) as a team, youth, low numbers — and the list goes on.</p><p>It's all about the little victories, even when they don't necessarily translate to a “W.”</p><p>North Henderson is the highlighted example right now of a team that had nowhere to go but up at the start of this season. Now the Knights (2-3, 1-0 WNC Athletic Conference) have learned how to finish games and win even with a sophomore quarterback unexpectedly thrown into the mix, and they're staring the county title right in the face for the first time in 15 years.</p><p>Polk County (2-3, 1-0 WHC), which faced youth last year and started on a 0-3 uphill battle this season, has now won two straight games and is looking to be a strong contender in the hunt for the Western Highlands Conference title.</p><p>Injuries to starting players have plagued Hendersonville (2-3, 0-1 WHC) for the past three games, and the Bearcats dropped their first WHC game last week at home, but one can never safely count out the Bearcats for the WHC championship either.</p><p>Out in Transylvania County, Brevard and Rosman (2-3, 0-1 Smoky Mountain) have each put up two wins. For the Blue Devils (2-3, 0-1 WNCAC) this has been a victory in itself under a first-year head coach, after going winless last year.</p><p>Both the Eagles and Falcons of East and West Henderson have come painfully close to tasting victory as far as their records are concerned, but to no avail. Lacking greater numbers (and by “greater” I mean more than 25 players) as well as experience. But the kids trek on, hoping, believing and playing for a win week after week. That's what counts.</p><p>There are still six weeks left of conference play, and that's a long time to see how much improvement a team is capable of.</p><p>The unpredictability of high school football is the draw of it — and we're sure to see some surprises from our home teams the rest of this season.</p><p><b>* * * * *</b></p><p><b>Last week</b>: 12-2</p><p><b>Season</b>: 72-21</p><p><b>Games back</b>: None</p><p><b>East Henderson at North Henderson</b></p><p>What's on the Knights' minds tonight? Home-field advantage, coupled with a drive to win their first county title in 15 years. … NORTH, 27-15.</p><p><b>Smoky Mountain at West Henderson</b></p><p>It could be another frustrating game for the Falcons tonight, as they'll keep it close but not close enough. ... SMOKY, 24-20.</p><p><b>Tuscola at Brevard</b></p><p>The Mountaineers have been one of the surprises so far this season, so Week 2 of conference won't be too much easier for the Blue Devils. ... TUSCOLA, 28-13.</p><p><b>Hayesville at Rosman</b></p><p>The Tigers will have their first chance to put up a Smoky mountain Conference win after starting off with Murphy last week. ... ROSMAN, 19-14.</p><p><b>Polk County at Mountain Heritage</b></p><p>High on their Week 1 conference win, the Wolverines will not slow down tonight even up against a competitive Cougars squad. ... POLK, 35-27.</p><p><b>Hendersonville at Madison</b></p><p>After three straight losses, which included losing its conference opener, Hendersonville can't afford to lose tonight if it wants to contend for the Western Highlands Conference title. … HENDERSONVILLE, 23-20.</p><p><b>Other games</b></p><p>Asheville at A.C. REYNOLDS</p><p>Pisgah at FRANKLIN</p><p>ERWIN at Enka</p><p>Mitchell at OWEN</p><p>North Buncombe at MCDOWELL</p><p>MURPHY at Cherokee</p><p>Andrews at ROBBINSVILLE</p><p>ASHEVILLE SCHOOL at Rabun Gap Nacoochee (Ga.)</p>